Drivers blinded by the light; 2 busted for shining laser

DESTIN — Two Crestview men are in custody after allegedly shining a laser light into other motorists' eyes in Destin Sunday night.

One of the victims told Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office deputies that the lights made it very difficult for him to drive.

Derrick Cole Taylor, who is 23, and Charles James Haggart, who is 24, were charged with pointing a laser light at a driver, which is a felony.

The suspects were driving on U.S. Highway 98 at about 11 p.m. when they "knowingly and willfully" pointed the green beam of a laser into another driver's eyes, according to their OCSO arrest report.

Another motorist also called to complain, but did not wish to file a complaint.

The victim said the light was coming from the passenger side of the vehicle. He said even after he hit his brakes to let the defendants pass, the light continued to be trained on him. He told deputies he felt they were targeting him, the report said.

Haggert, who was the passenger, had a laser lighting device with him when they were pulled over and originally took all of the responsibility for pointing it at other drivers. After being read his rights, though, he said that he'd been using the device but that it belonged to Taylor.

Taylor said it didn't belong to him and that the first time he saw it was when Haggert pulled it out. After being confronted, he acknowledge it was his. Taylor was charged for not stopping his passenger's illegal behavior.

The men said they agreed to lie when stopped by law enforcement, the report said.